Nut-lock



(No Model.) J. M. FRY.

NUT LOCK. No. 333,212. Patented "Dec. 29, 1885.

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I LLwJZEy Attorney UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrca.

JOHN M. FRY, OF ROTHSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

NUT-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 333,212, dated December 29, 1885. Application filed May 1, 1885. Serial No. 164,068. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. FRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rothsville, county of Lancaster, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Nut-Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This improvement relates to that class of nutlocking devices which are especially adapted to railroad-rail fish-joints, for wooden bridges,

and frame-work of like character.

The object of the invention is to furnish a sure and reliable lock to the nut, occupying no more room upon the bolt than a jam-nut would take up, and superior to the jan1nut in its holding power. This is attained in the use of the improvement, shown in the accompanying drawings, similar letters of reference indicating similar parts.

Figure 1 shows the application of the improvement to a fish-plate joint of a railroadrail, the bolt in full elevation, the rest in section; Fig. 2, a plan and section of the lockingnut; Fig. 3, top and reverse plan of the annular locking ratchet-ring and a transverse sect-ion of the same; Fig. 4, an end View of the bolt, to show the ratchet-tongue lockinggroove; Fig. 5, a plan of the'nut-cap when the bolt is concealed within the nut, also a plan of the annular cap used when the bolt passes through the nut, a cross-section of the cap at the right-hand side of the plan; Fig. 6, aplan and elevation of the spiral compression-spring placed between the cap and annular ratchetrlng.

A represents the bolt, which, for adaptation to the nut-lock, is provided with a groove, A, gunning the full length of the thread upon the olt.

B represents the nut, which, on its exterior plan, does not differ from the usual standard nut in size. In thickness it is, however, about double the depth of the standard nut. To produce the nut special dies and punches are necessary, but provided with those the nuts are produced with little additional cost over the ordinary nut for the same diameter of bolt. A recess, B, is produced'within the nut, of about one and one-half times the diameter of the bolt upon which it is to be placed. At the base of the recess ratchet-teeth B are pressed into the annular space surrounding the bolt-hole. The punch, beside the provision upon its first shoulder for forming the ratchet-teeth B, has also a second shoulder surrounded by a concavity for striking upon the outer face, an annular recess, 13*, to receive the cap D or D, and the annular raised locking-ledge B. An annular ring, 0, preferably cast of steel, is made to drop freely within the nut-recess B and to slip freely over the bolt,.is furnished with ratchet-teeth 0 upon one face of the ring,adapted to mate with the teeth B in the base of the nut-recess. The ring is also provided with an integral tongue, 0 to fit snugly within the groove A of the bolt. A spring, E, of a diameter to fill the recess, and a cap, D or D, of an outer diameter to fill the recess 13*, completes the separate portions of the nut.

The nuts are threaded. The annular ring 0 is placed in the recess B, with its teeth 0 in contact with the teeth B of the recess. spring E is then introduced, the cap D or D, as the case may be, is laid within the annular recess B A proper recessed tool is then set upon the outer diameter of B and, being struck a smart blow,is compressed upon the cap edge and locks the same in place. I prefer to make the periphery of the cap with a slight bevel, as it will require less force to lock it within the recess.

The nuts are applied as usual, and as soon as the point of the bolt enters within the annular ratchet-ring O the groove A comes in contact with the tongue 0, and interlocking therewith carries the ring 0 around with it, the ratchet-ring being held by the spring E in contact with the nut-teeth B, rises against the pressure out of gear therewith, and as soon as the movement ceases it again interlocks and securely holds the nut from turning, either from its own gravity or by the vibrations of the material to which it is attached. Should subsequent shrinkage of the material occur, an additional turn is given to the nut.

The ratchetteeth-may be constructed with a rightangle face to each; but I prefer to make them of an equal angle upon both faces. In the latter case the nut may be backed off with a wrench without injury. In the former case The nular ratchet-faced ring, 0, a spiral spring, E,

and cap D, the latter looked upon the nut by the compression of the ledge 13, substantially r 5 as and for the purpose set forth.

2. As an improvement in nut-locks, an annular ring, G, ratchet-faced at (3, having a tongue, 0, in combination with a recessed nut correspondingly rateheted in the base of the 20 recess, a spring, E, cap D, and grooved bolt A, substantially as shown, described, and for the purpose specified.

JOHN M. FRY.

Witnesses:

A. F. KILLIAN, HAYDN H. TsHUDY. 

